After Iran's strikes, flights were canceled and new travel warnings were issued.

 

Emirates has suspended all its operations in and out of Dubai, leaving passengers round the world stranded (Image:Reuters)

Airlines are continuing to cancel and divert flights in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran.

 The airports in Tel Aviv, Dubai, Doha, and other regional international hubs have been closed to all flights. British citizens are being advised by the UK Foreign Office not to travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates (UAE) unless absolutely necessary. It has been suggested to shelter those who are already there. Iran has launched attacks on the Gulf states as part its retaliation to US and Israeli strikes which began early on Saturday.  Heathrow is advising travelers to check with their airlines in order to avoid any disruptions to their long-haul travel.

Read More:  In maps: Strikes across Iran and the Middle East

It is believed that representatives of the British government are putting together strategies to possibly evacuate British citizens from the Middle East. But the timings of such a move remain unclear, as much of the airspace in the region remains closed.

 Due to airspace closures, Emirates has halted operations in and out of Dubai until 15:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Monday, while Etihad has halted operations out of Abu Dhabi until 02:00 local time. Since the strikes began, one person has died and 11 others have been injured at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports. Staff members at Dubai International, the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic, sustained four injuries. Services to Bahrain and Tel Aviv have been canceled by British Airways until Wednesday. According to the statement, services between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, or Tel Aviv could be disrupted for a few days. Londoners Richard and Hannah had been on their way to Oman, but they are now stuck in Bahrain. Hannah stated on Sunday, describing an "uneasy 24 hours," "in the early hours of this morning a drone attacked the airport so we can't reach Oman this evening as planned." Richard stated that they are now looking to return home due to the possibility of an escalation in the situation.

Over the weekend, Virgin Atlantic stopped operating flights between London, Riyadh, and Dubai. It has warned that due to rerouting around the affected region, flights to India, Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives may take longer. It is among a number of airlines across the world that have had to cancel or reroute flights to avoid the closed or restricted airspace.

 On Sunday, airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, and Syria remained closed, with partial closures in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The airspace between Jordan and Lebanon remains open, but only a few flights are taking place. According to the tracking, flights between Europe and Asia go through Saudi Arabia or the Caucasus. When their connecting flight was canceled, Emma Belcher and her husband Vic were returning via Dubai to Heathrow from a vacation in the Maldives. "There is absolutely no information about when they might open airspace so we don't know how long we'll be here," she said.

 "Because we have never been away without them before, we were really looking forward to getting home to see the children." Steve Rudderham and his wife were supposed to celebrate their wedding anniversary in the Maldives, but instead they were stuck in Doha, where they were supposed to stop. "As the days go on and the vacation is eroded, we're looking at plans to just to get back home," he said.

Flights that would have gone over the affected region have been diverted, causing delays (Image: Reuters)

As a result of the closure of Qatari airspace, Qatar Airways stated that it would provide a further update on Monday at 9:00 AM local time (6:00 PM GMT). After hearing explosions in Doha, the defense ministry of Qatar declared that it had stopped Iranian missiles. In addition, the United Arab Emirates claimed to have stopped Iranian drones and missiles, and video appears to show the moment a US facility in Bahrain was hit. Kuwait said it had been targeted by Iranian missiles and drones.  Explosions were heard at Erbil airport in Iraq early on Sunday morning.

 "Against all travel to Israel and Palestine" and "against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE" are the warnings issued by the UK Foreign Office. British people in those areas have been urged to register their presence with the Foreign Office, with more than 76,000 people having already done so, mostly in the UAE.

 For British nationals in Oman, the Foreign Office advises those in Duqm to shelter in place, and those in Salalah to leave as soon as possible if commercial means allow and follow advice from local authorities.

 In Saudi Arabia, UK citizens have been instructed to "remain indoors in a secure location," while citizens of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Turkey have been instructed to "remain vigilant" and to seek shelter when advised to do so. After deadly pro-Iran protests broke out in several cities, the Foreign Office has urged Pakistanis to be cautious around rallies, protests, religious gatherings, and other forms of public demonstration. Additionally, it instructed employees in the nation to restrict their movements. Among the reasons for launching the attack, US President Donald Trump cited the failure to reach an agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program and regime change. Speaking to Trump on Saturday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated earlier that British aircraft were "in the sky" over the Middle East as part of a defensive operation "to protect our people, our interests, and our allies." Along with the leaders of France and Germany, he urged Iran to refrain from "indiscriminate" strikes.

Source: BBC